Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

Two games of note last night, as last season's AA Pitcher of the Year continued to struggle at AAA, while last year's best A-Ball pitcher made a crackling debut at AA. That's a lot of A's. Must be the Ricciardi-Beane connection.

Syracuse 9 Indianapolis 3

Vinny Chulk started but continued to struggle at Triple-A, going only 2 2/3 IP and allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, whiffing 2. His season totals: 36 IP, 43 H, 15 BB, 28 K, 6 HRs allowed, only 16.5% KBF. On the hitting side, Tony Zuniga responded to the promotion of Simon Pond with a 3-hit, 4-RBI performance. But most interesting of all was the continued hot bat of centerfielder Rich Thompson, himself a recent graduate of New Haven. Thompson had two hits, scored twice and stole his third base. After posting a .313/.373/.352 line in 49 AA games (swiping 15 of 18 bases), Thompson has started .406/.457/.438 with 3 steals (just one double, though) at Syracuse. Shiny trade bait....

New Haven 4, Binghampton 1

Batters of the Eastern League, meet Dustin McGowan. In his first start since making the big jump from Dunedin, McGowan dominated, firing 6 innings of 1-hit shutout ball, walking just 1 and K'ing 7. According to BB poster Kevin Pataky in the "Promotions Part 2" thread, McGowan threw just 84 pitches and was consistently in the mid-90s, hitting 98 at one point. Perhaps just as intriguingly, new arrival Juan Pena struck out two in a hitless ninth to record his second save. Shortstop Jorge Sequea had 3 hits and a run scored, and is batting .349/.398/.472 in 106 AB (with a 9/19 BB/K ratio). Another hits for Alexis Rios gives him 10 in his last four games and a season line of .361/.427/.530.

Rain in Dunedin

Lexington 6 Charleston 0

I've looked closely, and concluded that there's almost nothing of interest to report from the lone game in the Sally last night.

Posted by Jordan on Tuesday, June 17 2003 @ 08:59 AM EDT.

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Coach - Tuesday, June 17 2003 @ 01:23 PM EDT (#99876) #

Shiny trade bait...

I've been a fan of Thompson, who replaced Reed Johnson as the Syracuse CF and leadoff man, since the first mention of him in Da Box, back in the middle of January. Like me, Jordan was impressed by Rich's earnest online diary of the 2002 season:

He admits when he’s struggling at the plate, but always has the team’s fortunes at the top of his entries. He comes across as a good guy trying his best to crack the show, and however corny this may sound, he’s now my favourite Blue Jays prospect. I’m officially rooting for Rich Thompson to make it to the major leagues, whether with Toronto or another organization, even if it’s only as a fourth outfielder. You go, Rich.

Thompson's lack of power doesn't fit the J.P. blueprint, and the plethora of outfield talent throughout the system means his shot may have to come elsewhere, but he's getting closer to achieving his dream. Including him in a trade could benefit everyone involved.

Pena could turn into another very nice pickup. He's allowed just one hit (a solo HR) and no walks in his first three appearances, striking out three. The former Red Sox prospect made two big-league starts at 22 in 1999 (13 IP, 2-0, 0.69, 15 K, 3 BB) before blowing out his arm. When he returned, they kept using him as a minor-league starter and he never fully recovered his stuff, but if he stays healthy in the bullpen, who knows?

McGowan's effort was outstanding. I envy Kevin, Pistol and others who can see the Ravens play this year. Both BA and Kevin Goldstein of theprospectreport.com pegged Dustin as the top youngster in the system last winter, and the Dwight Gooden comparisons may begin any time. I'm very pleased to announce that Derek Welvang of the Prospect Report has written an exclusive review of the Jays' 2003 draft for the ZLC; it will be posted here tomorrow morning.

_Ryan - Tuesday, June 17 2003 @ 02:18 PM EDT (#99877) #

Pulaski's first game of the season was suspended last night and will be resumed later in the year. Auburn's first game is tonight. I assume Banks will be the starter for Auburn.

_Jordan - Tuesday, June 17 2003 @ 07:33 PM EDT (#99878) #

Check this out: when McGowan goes out to the mound in his Double-A debut, who should be sitting behind home plate but JP Freakin' Ricciardi. So he goes out and throws 6 innings of one-hit ball (and the one hit was a checked-swing single; he nailed the next guy). Not shabby.

Ricciardi is in town to watch New Haven's entire four-game series with Binghampton. You have to imagine that after he gauges the progress of Alexis Rios, Gabe Gross and John-Ford Griffin, as well as the debuts of David Bush and Jord DeJong, some more roster moves could quickly follow.

Hey, here's a question: if Juan Pena is being used to close games for the Ravens, where does DeJong fit in? Will one of them be used to set up and the other to close, or will they split the job? Or, hopefully, will they both be brought in to pitch high-pressure situations regardless of the inning?

Coach - Tuesday, June 17 2003 @ 09:50 PM EDT (#99879) #

So McGowan's a lot like most of us. He works better when the boss is watching. I'm just guessing, as usual, but if Pena's arm remains sound, he should move up the ladder reasonably soon, and for now, they will probably use DeJong to set up the more experienced Pena.

_Jordan - Tuesday, June 17 2003 @ 10:19 PM EDT (#99880) #

Pena got his third save tonight in the first game of New Haven's twinbill -- another shutout 9th, another 2 K's. DeJong set him up in the 8th -- 1 H, 1 BB, 1K, 0 R.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 17 2003 @ 10:54 PM EDT (#99881) #

Ricciardi is in town to watch New Haven's entire four-game series with Binghampton

Well, I'm going to the game tomorrow now! I was going to go tonight, but I with the Jays on Extra Innings tonight I decided against it.

Pistol - Tuesday, June 17 2003 @ 10:59 PM EDT (#99882) #

Actually, the Raven's game tomorrow starts at noon.

Stupid work!

_John N. - Wednesday, June 18 2003 @ 09:29 AM EDT (#99883) #

Hijack: Vince Perkins started last night for Dunedin and faced three batters, walking two and getting one out. He was then replaced by Brandon League.

The time of the nine-inning game was 2:46, so I don't think Perkins left because of a rain delay. I hope he's not injured.

_Shane - Wednesday, June 18 2003 @ 09:46 AM EDT (#99884) #

Perkins stats are probably a carry over from the night before when the game was rained out. It was probably League who started last nights conclusion.

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